Doomsday Pillars

*Urgh*

Another grunt echoed through the air, but this time it was clearer. The other fighters, who were at the back, could finally hear the grunt. Hearing that, their hearts immediately tightened, as apprehension gradually crept on their faces. 

Just as the fighters were about to diffuse the tension, another sound reverberated in the tunnel.

*Thump* *Thump* *Thump*

At the moment, dread plastered their faces as the 120 fighters could clearly hear the sounds of heavy footsteps slowly heading their way, as evidenced by the sound grew louder with each passing second. The sound was also followed by the sound of something heavy, perhaps a metal, being dragged across the ground.

Taking out his revolver, Alex calmly said, "Everyone, get ready. It is here. We will go according to plan."

Right after he said that, Alex took out and lit a number of flare sticks at once. He then proceeded to throw them in different directions of the large tunnel. As soon as the flare sticks that glowed brightly were thrown, the fighters could see a faint shadow of a giant figure of at least 10 meters high in front of them.

ROOOAAARRR!!!

A thunderous roar resounded through the air, making the fighters' eardrums tremble violently with it. The creature, which was nearly 60 meters long, stepped forward and headed towards the group location. The fighters could feel that ground intensely shook as it walked and stomped its feet. 

Slowly but surely, as it stepped out of the darkness and its figure was lit up by the glowing flare sticks, the group could finally see the being who was the last opponent they had to face in the Abyss Hole.

[Chimera]

[Tier 5 Abyssal Creature]

The Chimera was a creature mentioned in Greek mythology. However, differently from its counterparts described in Greek mythology, as a creature with three heads: one of a grim-eyed lion, one of a goat and a one of a snake instead of a tail.

The colossal creature standing in front of them had two snake heads protruding from the left and right of its body, a lion-like head, with an ash-colored mane fluttering madly and, in its center, a goat's head with bipolar horns, tail like scorpion's stinger and a crocodile-like scaly body with a pair of wings folded at its side.

Many Greek mythology stories were based on this mythological creature and were widely spread as ancient lores in society. However, it never occurred to them that the creature would come alive and stand in front of them.

Alex had already explained about this creature during the briefing session before entering the Abyss. He also mentioned the possibility that it was the last monster they had to fight. Alex had done everything he could to ensure the best preparation of the fighters for the upcoming battle, but even so, they stood frozen when they saw this monstrous abomination standing in front of them.

The Chimera glared at the group with its ominous red eyes that shone in the darkness. The group could clearly see its intimidating sharp claws were out in the open. One of the creature's heads, the head of the lion, which was the size of a small house, with a face that looked like it was made of stone, howled loudly.

ROARRRRR!!!

From its right back, a giant reddish snake breathed out a flame of bright fire, while from its left back the giant bluish snake let out a breath of the abhorrent frigid cold air. 

Meanwhile, from the midsection of its body, towering in the middle of the snake's heads, they could be seen the yellowish goat's head faintly surrounded by amber vapor.

On the neck of the creature, there was a giant iron plate that became the collar for its four heads. Alex could also see dozens of chains tied to it dangling in the air.

Seeing the menacing monster, Alex immediately said, "Alright, everyone. We will now attack according to the plan explained before." Turning his head towards the group, he added, "I will say it once again. For those who are not ready, it is better to stay and watch carefully, lest you become a burden."

Not waiting for an answer from them, Alex immediately walked to the front row. He then stared right at the creature's eyes as he used his technique.

[Hexagram Technique - Stage 4]

As strength filled his body and countless formation runes orbited around him faintly, Alex began the attack by using his 'flashiest' spell, [Blind - Tier 1 Light Spell].

A sudden burst of piercing light appeared in front of Alex, startling the Chimera as it roared again, but even louder. Alex was sure the creature, who lived in the darkness, was furious because of his provocation. In fact, its roars were now tinged with rage.

"Now!" shouted Alex.

Several figures immediately dashed forward when they heard Alex's shout. Sergei, Winter, Maxine, and several other Sky realm Magus fighters who had above average physical strength swiftly ran and stopped right around the colossal figure of the Chimera. 

They then quickly leaped into the air and each grabbed an iron chain, as they began to pull the chains violently at the same time. This instantly made the monster fall on the ground and restricted its movement, causing dirt and gravel flying in the air. The Chimera roared loudly as it happened.

Seeing the Chimera had fallen to the ground and couldn't move, Arief immediately used his [Silver Body] and [Ares Strength] ability and shot forward towards the downed creature. Arief swiftly reached the front of the creature, to be precise in front of the falling lion head.

He then quickly used the [Silver Layer] skill before he thrusted his huge tier 3 sword and stabbed it into the lion's mouth that was falling to the ground. The purpose of this action was to keep the lion's mouth closed, making sure it was unable to bite or to use its [Lion's Roar] ability that could severely affect the fighters' mind.

When the Chimera saw what was happening, the heads of the red and blue snakes took a deep breath until their cavities looked like they were about to explode and then they immediately fired their breath. 

[Ice Breath] [Flame Breath]

A line of azure beam exuding an extreme coldness descended on the fighters on the left side on the Chimera, while a crimson ray emanating scorching heat was crashing towards the fighters on its right, who were grabbing and pulling the chain.

According to the plan prepared, the fighters on the right side immediately clustered together as a white luminous barrier appeared and covered the entire group. 

The flame breath coming at them was blocked by the barrier. This lustrous barrier was the outcome of a spell prepared by Daisy, the [Halo - Tier 3 Light Spell]. This spell was a unique spell that could block elemental-based attacks and even deflect the weaker ones.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Chimera, the ice breath was blocked by the huge flame screen that almost reached the ceiling of the tunnel. This flame screen was the unique [Fire Wall - Tier 3 Fire Spell] from Marc, the fighter from the Philippines, who had a burn scar on his face.

Seeing the Chimera's breath attacks being blocked by the two defensive spells, Alex nodded in satisfaction. With everything going according to the plan, the next step was to deploy the swift-footed and powerful fighters to chop off the heads of the Chimera, starting from the yellowish goat head that towered above the lion's head.

Although it appeared that so many things were happening, all these actions all happened in less than 5 seconds. All according to the perfect plan.

Looking at the desirable situation, Alex immediately shouted, "Do it now!"

After the Chimera was restrained and unable to move anymore, all the fast-moving fighters like Nathanael, Jerry and Ardeth immediately lunged forward and activated their spells, as they tried to cut off the yellow monster's head, which was the secret key to defeating the Chimera creature.

However, after all the fighters moved and right when the blitzkrieg troops were just about to cut the yellow goat's neck, Alex noticed an unusual movement.

At a glance, the group of fighters in black robes were seen attacking the Chimera, but what actually happened was that only some of them attacked the yellow goat while the others lunged at Arief who was busy holding the lion's fangs.

Alex who saw it immediately ran to prevent this, but unfortunately he was too late.

Arief, whose back was wide-open and wasn't alert because he was too focused on his task, got stabbed from behind. The red robed fighters from the Heavenly Gate betrayed them.

"Arief!!"

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